LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers capitalized on San Francisco's error-strewn performance to hand last season's World Series champions a 2-1 defeat on Major League Baseball's opening day.
The Dodgers opened the scoring in the sixth inning when Giants catcher Buster Posey threw the ball past third baseman Pablo Sandoval on a pickoff attempt with the bases loaded, allowing Matt Kemp to score.
It was the Giants second error of the inning and third of the game.
Los Angeles stretched the lead to 2-0 in the eighth when Kemp led off with a walk, stole second base, and scored on James Loney's RBI double.
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw pitched seven scoreless innings for the win, striking out nine and allowing four hits. Reliever Jonathan Broxton gave up a solo home run to Pat Burrell in the ninth inning before closing out the save.
"It was fun tonight," said Kershaw. "I had a blast. It was a good way to start the season, a great atmosphere, a sellout, Opening Day, a fun time to compete.
"They're the team to beat, I guess. But a win is a win, as far as I'm concerned."
Giants starter Tim Lincecum gave up five hits and a run in seven innings to take the loss.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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